Historic grain warehouses - values and potentials

Abstract

As early as the 18th century, Bač - Bodrog County was already leading in the Empire regarding the level of development of agriculture, whereas Torontal County did not appear as a rival until the 19th century. Southern parts of Hungary were therefore called food pantries. The main crop was wheat, because it is this type of grain which particularly favoured the soil of Vojvodina. These economic conditions led to the construction of grain warehouses across southern Hungary as early as the 18th century. There were two types of warehouses depending on the site of a construction or location. The first type occurred along significant traffic routes, first along rivers and canals, and later along railways. The second type were warehouses built on estates of feudal lords who acquired their estates on auctions at the end of the 18th century and created entire 'agricultural towns' on them. On the territory of Vojvodina, in spite of the fact that it was and still is the largest granary in the region, there are few historical grain warehouses whose value is recognized and adequately presented. Having lost their original purpose, former grain depots are mainly used as storage spaces for other types of goods, or they are entirely abandoned. In addition to historical values, grain warehouses also have a high contemporary use value, and in the process of revitalization it is essential to treat them in harmony with principles of active protection in order to make use of its economic and tourism potentials.